Cabinet handles take a beating from daily contact, acidic cleaning products, and moisture, and replacing every single piece can get expensive. So here we came with a 10-dollar solution—a spray paint.
It will hardly take 30 minutes of active work, plus drying time, which you can leave unattended.
What You’ll Grab
- Spray paint for metal
- A sheet of cardboard or a drop cloth
- Screwdriver
- Fine-grit sandpaper (220-grit)
- Tack cloth or a damp microfiber cloth
The Process
- First, remove all handles and knobs from the cabinets using a screwdriver. Lay them out on a piece of cardboard in a well-ventilated area. If there are screws involved, set them aside somewhere safe so nothing gets lost.
- Next, lightly sand each handle with 220-grit sandpaper. It will give them a smooth, shiny surface. Once sanded, wipe each piece down with a tack cloth or barely damp microfiber cloth to remove all dust. Let them dry completely.
- If you’re changing colors, going from brass to matte black, for example, a quick coat of metal primer first will give you better, longer-lasting coverage. One thin coat is all you need. Let it dry for five minutes.
- Now shake your spray paint can well. Hold it eight to ten inches from the hardware and apply thin, even coats using a sweeping motion. Two thin coats will always outperform one heavy coat, which runs, drips, and takes forever to cure. Let the first coat dry for five minutes before applying the second.
A Few Things Worth Knowing
Screw holes can get clogged with paint if you’re not careful. Use a toothpick to clear them out before the paint fully hardens. Also, finish matters beyond aesthetics, and flat or matte finishes show fingerprints, so be extra careful with them.
Reattach the handles once the paint has dried to the touch, but avoid heavy wiping or cleaning for 48 hours while the finish fully cures. Treat them gently through that first week, and the paint will hold up for years.
